I am mama to four beautiful children. I breastfed for 12.5 years straight! We live in Nashville, having moved here 16 years ago from Cincinnati. We have three cats and are currently dog-free. I love to hike and learn about other cultures and support new mothers in a variety of ways (birthing, breastfeeding, babywearing, and more!).

I started my career with mamas and babies as a Labor & Delivery nurse. The hospital where I worked (in Cincinnati) had birth tubs in many rooms and we had nurse-midwives in nearly every practice. Babies stayed with mamas at all times, even after cesarean section births. So, my entry into the scene of natural birthing came with the territory. While an L&D nurse, I went back to graduate school to become a Nurse Practitioner in women's health (OB/GYN, I do not attend births like a midwife). At the same time I was in school for my NP degree, I was studying and training to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. I certified for both degrees within 11 days of each other! Lactation is my specialty as an NP; it is my passion.E-mail: kate@nashvillebirthandbabies.com

I am the mother of two lovely grown daughters and a grandmother. It was through their births that my desire to assist women in childbirth began. My first birth was in a hospital with a nurse midwife. My midwife was amazed at the ability of a 20 year old to deliver completely natural after only six hours of labor (I read Childbirth Without Fear…). I was equally impressed by my midwife and began to set goals as a young single mother to become a Certified Nurse Midwife. My second child was born at home with the assistance of a midwife and family. Both births were amazingly positive experiences!

I am an Advanced Practice Nurse, Certified Nurse Midwife, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant as well as a Certified Doula. I have more than 25 years of women’s healthcare experience specializing in obstetrics. I am very excited to be joining Nashville Birth and Babies as a lactation consultant and doula. I want to empower you and your partner through education, physical, and emotional support for a positive birth and breastfeeding experience. For some it is a natural birth and for others it may be receiving labor anesthesia. There is no single or right way. A healthy, confident mother and baby are the goal! It’s your birth, your way.

Pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding are natural processes and your body already knows what to do.

Leah K. Brown BS, IBCLCI have a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. My background is in animal care, specific to marine animals. After the birth of my first child, however, I became a stay-at-home momma. Due to my passion for breastfeeding and the miracle that is mother's milk, I pursued the four year long pathway to IBCLC certification. After returning to school and completing my two year clinical internship in 2016, I passed my board exam and was notified of my new IBCLC certification status! A wonderful day! I truly enjoying helping moms and nurslings with breastfeeding and lactation goals. I also enjoy empowering expecting parents by teaching Prenatal Breastfeeding Classes in the comfort of their own home. ​My husband and I have two beautiful, rambunctious boys. In my spare time I enjoy volunteering for my local Community Pregnancy Center, baking, spending time with my family, watching movies and exploring the outdoors.

Leah is currently partnered with Lactation Network, an organization that helps moms and moms-to-be get the breastfeeding help they deserve, covered by insurance. Please visit www.LactationNetwork.com to find out if we can get you covered! Leah serves Sumner, Trousdale, Macon, Smith, Wilson, North Rutherford, West Putnam and East Davidson Counties.

The International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) credential identifies the "gold standard" for lactation professionals. An IBCLC is a knowledgeable and experienced member of the maternal-child health team who has specialized skills in breastfeeding management and care. The IBLCE certification program offers the only credential in lactation consulting and is available globally. Before becoming certified, an IBCLC has college education in health sciences, a minimum of 90 hours of breastfeeding/lactation specific education, and 500-1000 hours of clinical/hands-on experience. An IBCLC maintains competency through continuing education courses every 5 years and takes a certifying exam every 10 years. For more information, visit iblce.org